Corn-husker.



R. H. ATKISQN. CORN HUSKEB.

APPLIOATION FILED 1,111.17, 1910.

Patented Aug. -9, 1910.

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STATES ATENT FFICE.

ROUSSEAU HEARD ATKISON, or GOLDENGATE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALETO :PETER c. BoRAH; or GQLDENGATE, ILLINOIS.

CORN-HUSKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led January 17, 1910.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

Serial No. 538,516.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROUSSEAU H. ATKI- soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Goldengate, in the county of Wayne and State of Illinois, have 'invented a new and useful Corn-Husker, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in corn husking implements and has for its object the provision of a device lof simple construction which may b e worn with equal facility on either hand and which will be comfortable to the user-and capable of removing the ears of corn easily and rapidly in whatever position they may be growing. This stated object, and such other incidental objects as will hereinafter appear, are attained by the use of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and the invention consists in certain novel features of the same, as will be hereinafter first fully described and then particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a corn husking implement embodying my invention, showing the same in position upon a hand. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the hooked retaining end of the device.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a metallic plate 1 which is so shaped as to present an upturned curved portion 2 having a semi-circular edge, as indicated at 3, which is adapted to rest against the palm of the hand and extend over the fleshy portion thereof at the base of the thumb so as to it comfortably against the hand in such a position that it will not readily slip laterally. At the opposite edge of the plate is provided a straight transverse band 1 slightly dished between its ends, as indicated at 5, and provided at its ends with curved hooks 6 adapted to fit around the sides of the hand, whereby the plate will be held firmly in position.

In order to prevent the metallic plate bruising or otherwise injuring the hand, and to further retain the same in its proper operative position, I provide a pad 7 of soft leather which presents the palm portion 8 and retainin straps or bands 9 at the upper and lower e ges of the same, the said straps or retaining portions being fastened by means of buckles 10 of any preferred construction. By reference to Fig. 1, it will be observedthat these retaining bands or straps pass aroundthe handat the base of the thumb and over the wrist and also around the fore part of the hand at the base of the fingers and are fastened at the back of the hand, whereby the device will be firmly secured in position.

In order to sever the corn from the stalk of the growing plant, I provide the hooks 11 which are struck up from the main body portion of the plate and project in opposite directions therefrom, the downwardly-projecting hooks 11 being duplica-ted at thesides of the plate while thel upwardly-projecting hook 12 is arranged near the upper edge of the plate on the central longitudinal line of the same. These hooks are substantially V-shaped projections formed integral with the plate by bein struck up therefrom, as before stated, an they extend slightly outward from the face of the plate, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, whereby they will readily engage the corn husks.

It is thought the manner of using my device and the many advantages of the same will be readily appreciated from the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. The user of the implement will pass through the corn field between the rows of stalks, and by drawing the proper hook across the ear of corn close to the stalk, will sever the same, which may be caught in a basket or other receptacle or permitted to drop to the ground tuo be gathered by a helper. Should the ears of corn be pointing upward on the stalk, the upper or single hook is brought into play and a motion of the hand toward the body severs the ear from the stalk. Should the ears be pointing downward, the two lower hooks are brought into use by pushing the hand from the body so as to carry the hooks across the husks. It will thus be seen that the device may be used for harvesting the corn without regard to the position in which the corn is growing, and that when the upper hook is being used, the lower hooks act as a rest or gage for the corn, thus holding it in such a position as to be grasped easily by the hand. It will be furthermore noted that the hooks 6 are duplicates, so that they will readily fit around either side of the hand, and that the main body of the plate is symmetrical so that it is not adapted for use on one hand only, but may be used with equal facility by a righthanded or a left-handed person. The shape of the hooks is such that they may be readily engaged in and drawn through the husk so as to relnove the ears of corn cleanly and rapidly.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and "of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and While I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A corn husking implement consisting of a metallic plate shaped to conform to the hand and having a series of V-shaped hooks struck up from a single line extending across its main portion, one of said hoo-ks being' disposed on the central longitudinal line of the plate and projecting toward the wrist end of the plate and the other hooks being disposed on opposite sides of said hook and projecting in a direction opposite thereto'to serve as a rest or gage for the corn.

2. A corn husking implement consisting of a symmetrical metallic plate having a dished portion shaped to conform to the hand and provided at one edge at its opposite sides with hooks adapted to engage the sides of the hand, and having a series of V- shaped hooks struck up from its main portion, one of said hooks projecting upward and the other hooks being disposed on opposite sides of said upwardly-projecting hook and projecting downwardly.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROUSSEAU HEARD ATKISON.

Witnesses:

WILL DALToN, VILLIAM D. ORR. 

